It was introduced in response to the failure of the U.S. Senate to pass the 1934–35 Costigan-Wagner Act, although President Roosevelt was more prepared to support the 1937 Bill.

In 1937, the lynching of Roosevelt Townes and Robert McDaniels gained national publicity, and as a result, the brutality of it was widely condemned.

[3][4] Senator Allen Ellender (D-Louisiana) proclaimed: "We shall at all cost preserve the white supremacy of America.

"[3] The bill was passed by the United States House of Representatives with support from Republicans and Northern Democrats.

[5] It did not pass the Senate due to a filibuster started and led by Texas New Deal segregationist Tom Connally.